Bill to Ban Texting While Driving Awaits Gov. Scott’s Approval

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Florida may join 45 states which have at least a partial ban on texting while driving. Senate Bill 52 awaits Governor Rick Scott’s approval. With Scott’s signature, the bill will go into effect October 1, 2013.

The threat of texting behind the wheel is tragically real. Over 5,800 people lost their lives last year due to texting and driving. Sadly younger drivers are those most likely to text and drive. (Shutterstock image)

The bill prohibits operation of a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device for “Certain purposes; defining the term “wireless communications device”; specifying information that is admissible as evidence of a violation; providing for enforcement as a secondary action; providing for points to be assessed against a driver license for the unlawful use of a wireless communications device within a school safety zone or resulting in a crash, etc.”

Police Permitted to Access Phone Records

According to Florida State Representative Steve Crisafulli, (Rep – Merritt Island), Senate Bill 52 also allows police and prosecutors to seek phone records in the event of an accident that results in injury or death, allowing them to determine whether or not driver distraction was a cause of the crash.

BELOW VIDEO: CBS News Anchor Scott Pelley reports on a study regarding the dangers of texting. Research revealed that texting while driving can more than double your reaction time, making it comparable to driving while drunk. (Video courtesy of CBS News)